Police believe downtown Santa Cruz shooting is gang related

SANTA CRUZ -- Pauly Silva, a longtime Santa Cruz resident and father of two who worked as a plumber and was known for his martial arts expertise, was shot dead outside the entrance to a downtown bar early Saturday, police said.

Silva, 32, died from multiple gunshot wounds on the sidewalk in front of the Red Bar on Locust Street near Cedar Street about 12:30 a.m. in what's believed to be a gang-related shooting, Deputy Chief Steve Clark said.

It is the first homicide of 2013 in Santa Cruz and the second in Santa Cruz County.

Police say the shooter fled in a green or gray 1990s model Mercedes. They're unsure if the shots were fired from the vehicle.

Santa Cruz police put out an alert with law enforcement agencies countywide, and a car matching the description was stopped in Watsonville soon after the shooting.

Two known Norteno gang members were brought back to Santa Cruz for questioning and arrested on separate charges not related to the homicide, including probation violation, being a felon in possession of ammunition and resisting arrest, Clark said.

Detectives are working to determine if the two men might be connected with Silva's death, Clark said.

Another man was arrested early Saturday in Santa Cruz with outstanding warrants as another possible suspect in the shooting.

Police declined to identify the men arrested.

"We do think there is more than one suspect involved with this," Clark said. "We've had varying cooperation from the people we've talked to."

Mayor Hilary Bryant said the killing serves as a reminder of how city officials need to make public safety the top priority.

"We really need to have no tolerance for gang activity," Bryant said. "We all need to feel we live somewhere that's safe. This kind of activity in our city, in our downtown is not acceptable."

Silva was not an official gang member, though he "certainly would have associations," Clark said.

Friends described Silva as "a really great guy," someone devoted to his family and naturally gifted in the mixed-martial arts.

Friends said Silva got involved in karate and other martial arts at a young age when his father Paul Silva owned a studio in Santa Cruz years ago.

"He was a good strong man," said longtime friend Jesus Monjarez, 33. "He's going to be missed by everybody."

Felton resident Dave Duppen, a black belt, has known Silva for nearly 20 years.

Silva and Duppen trained together for many years under the guidance of Silva's father.

"He was one of the greatest martial artists I've ever known," Duppen said. "He just had unbelievable raw talent. I just can't believe somebody shot him. I feel like I lost my own brother."

Silva has a twin brother who was shot at while walking with another man on Laurel Street during the day on Jan. 18.

In that case, a man driving a Volkswagen Jetta shot at the two men as they walked near Santa Cruz High School about 9 a.m. The two men fled, but were found soon after hiding in an apartment complex.

Clark said Silva's brother was "uncooperative and untruthful" with officers during that investigation.

Police arrested a suspect in that case: Jonah Namauu, 20, of Santa Cruz.

Anyone with information can call the police at 831-420-5815.

Editor's Note: This story has been updated. Pauly Silva had an arrest record in Santa Cruz. In 2001, he went on trial for mayhem and two counts of assault. A mistrial was declared on the mayhem count and one of the assault charges. He was convicted on the other assault charge and sentenced to time served.